Valvetronic Exhaust on 2026 models

[cblanchard]

I got my 2026 premium around a month ago and bought a vrsf catless downpipe along with a brushed Valvetronic exhaust. I don’t have the stuff to install either of those things so I called around and found a shop that said they could do it. I drop it off and they call me the next day saying that the downpipe was installed no problem but the exhaust doesn’t fit the new downpipe and the old one. They said the part of the exhaust that goes on the downpipe doesn’t fit and it’s too big for the downpipe.
I’ve never seen someone have this problem with their Valvetronic so I was suspicious. To add more fuel to the fire, the dude who was doing the work said there weren’t tips for the exhaust but i put them in the front seat because the whole box wouldn’t fit so i had to take out each part and put it in the trunk and passenger seat. I told him it was in the passenger seat and he said “oh. I didn’t see that there” so I’m just wondering if he was using the right part or what?
I know Valvetronic hasn’t confirmed that it fits on the 2026 models but they said it should fit because they haven’t changed anything from the previous model years exhaust/downpipe wise (I think?). This place wasn’t a performance shop or a exhaust focused shop so maybe that also had something to do with it but I’m just wondering if anyone has had this problem with theirs or if the dude had no idea what he was doing and tried to connect the wrong part to the downpipe. I’m just suspicious about a lot regarding getting work done on this because I’m a woman and I’ve already been screwed over by others for this car.

Sponsored

 

[SavagePassenger]

I don't blame you for being suspicious. As far as i can tell the Valvetronic designs catbacks use the factory size connection to the downpipe which is 3.15 inches (Vsrf downpipe should be the same connection too). Not sure how many pieces the exhaust comes in but I don't think it's possible to try and connect the wrong part there. Honestly it sounds like they don't know what they are doing though because even connecting the oem exhaust to downpipes a lot of the time you have to do mechanic things, like an expander and work a bit to make it slip in lol.

 

[Eastwood]

I don't blame you for being suspicious. As far as i can tell the Valvetronic designs catbacks use the factory size connection to the downpipe which is 3.15 inches (Vsrf downpipe should be the same connection too). Not sure how many pieces the exhaust comes in but I don't think it's possible to try and connect the wrong part there. Honestly it sounds like they don't know what they are doing though because even connecting the oem exhaust to downpipes a lot of the time you have to do mechanic things, like an expander and work a bit to make it slip in lol.

If they’re saying the exhaust pipe is too big, I wonder how big? I mean you can just slip it on and use the clamp to tighten. Like you said usually shops are using an expander for just a bit of wiggle room lol

But if it’s like throwing a hot dog down a hall way, that might be another issue.

 

[SavagePassenger]

If they’re saying the exhaust pipe is too big, I wonder how big? I mean you can just slip it on and use the clamp to tighten. Like you said usually shops are using an expander for just a bit of wiggle room lol

But if it’s like throwing a hot dog down a hall way, that might be another issue.

Yeah it's possible it's something with the connecting pipe on the exhaust, or they are trying to connect the wrong part to the downpipe. I didn't catch the first time OP said they told her it was too big for the new downpipe and the oem. Something isn't adding up haha

 

[cblanchard]

Yeah it's possible it's something with the connecting pipe on the exhaust, or they are trying to connect the wrong part to the downpipe. I didn't catch the first time OP said they told her it was too big for the new downpipe and the oem. Something isn't adding up haha

I honestly think they just don’t know what they’re doing because I thought they could use a clamp too if it was too big and maybe he thought it didn’t come with a clamp? I’m going to a specialty shop on Monday so we’ll see if it was just a skill issue

 

[TexasCF]

Maybe the wrong part was shipped? Probably not, they’re probably just morons.

 

[i3igpete]

But seriously, I could see either vrsf or valvetronic's suppliers sending the wrong item . This would be resolved in 30 seconds if your mechanic sent a picture

 

[cblanchard]

I got my 2026 premium around a month ago and bought a vrsf catless downpipe along with a brushed Valvetronic exhaust. I don’t have the stuff to install either of those things so I called around and found a shop that said they could do it. I drop it off and they call me the next day saying that the downpipe was installed no problem but the exhaust doesn’t fit the new downpipe and the old one. They said the part of the exhaust that goes on the downpipe doesn’t fit and it’s too big for the downpipe.
I’ve never seen someone have this problem with their Valvetronic so I was suspicious. To add more fuel to the fire, the dude who was doing the work said there weren’t tips for the exhaust but i put them in the front seat because the whole box wouldn’t fit so i had to take out each part and put it in the trunk and passenger seat. I told him it was in the passenger seat and he said “oh. I didn’t see that there” so I’m just wondering if he was using the right part or what?
I know Valvetronic hasn’t confirmed that it fits on the 2026 models but they said it should fit because they haven’t changed anything from the previous model years exhaust/downpipe wise (I think?). This place wasn’t a performance shop or a exhaust focused shop so maybe that also had something to do with it but I’m just wondering if anyone has had this problem with theirs or if the dude had no idea what he was doing and tried to connect the wrong part to the downpipe. I’m just suspicious about a lot regarding getting work done on this because I’m a woman and I’ve already been screwed over by others for this car.

Update, the first mechanic tried to put the wrong part on the downpipe for some reason but another mechanic put it on for me no problem

 

[Timmy_Jones]

I mean, you're installing catless on a MT so you didn't do any research anyways. Did you buy the OPF version? Probably. Best to research before buying

 

[Extreme Power House]

glad you got it figured out, next time always ask for pictures

Sponsored